DA to take legal action against government if land expropriation approved

As land expropriation without compensation draws closer to its final approval, the DA are already preparing a way to halt its progress.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 14: Democratic Alliance Chief Whip John Steenhuisen speaks during the 2017 State of the Nation Address (SONA) debate at the National Assembly on February 14, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. Political parties debated Jacob Zuma’s SONA which was marred by chaos, violence and insults. (Photo by Gallo Images / Beeld / Jaco Marais)

Tuesday will see the National Assembly debate the process of changing the constitution to allow for land expropriation without compensation for the final time. However, the DA are apoplectic with the “flawed process” that has brought South Africa to this point.

The sitting in Cape Town will also come with a vote. Should two-thirds of the house (or more) vote in favour of a constitutional amendment, LWEC will be practically written in stone for the country. But those opposed to this model of redistribution won’t have it all their own way.

John Steenhuisen plays hardball over land expropriation

DA Chief Whip John Steenhuisen lead a media briefing on behalf of his party at midday. He confirmed that the organisation will approach the courts if the non-compensatory model gets the go-ahead, resulting in a historic change to the South African Bill of Rights.

Steenhuisen was quick to distance his party from AfriForum’s failed interdict on the same issue last week. He said the organisation had not let Parliament operate properly, whereas the DA’s application will wait for the house to complete due process.

“Should the ANC and EFF vote to adopt this flawed report in both the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces, the DA will not hesitate to approach the courts. AfriForum failed in their court bid because they failed to allow Parliament to complete its processes. It is key that Parliament is given the scope to do its work.”

“The consequences of land expropriation without compensation is real and could have devastating implications on a country already ravaged by unprecedented unemployment, a collapsing economy, sky-high food prices and poverty. Land reform should never be used as a tool to score cheap political points.”

John Steenhuisen

What next for land expropriation?

Two weeks ago, the decision to advance the constitutional amendment phase of expropriation was approved by a Parliamentary portfolio committee. However, Steenhuisen and co don’t believe the outcomes were legitimate.

He has stated that more than 80% of all written submissions from public contributions on LWEC were simply ignored. This, apparently, would mean that the report which gave the green light to changing the constitution hasn’t actually been finalised.

Steenhuisen lambasted the whole process as a “smokescreen”, giving the impression it was democracy in action when there was actually a “predetermined outcome” already agreed. You can watch the feisty debate live here.